CHATTANOOGA, TN – FMW Solutions, a railroad mechanical, engineering, contracting, and consulting firm, has hired railroad veterans Katie Slider as Senior Operations Manager and Roy Wullich as Manager of Operations and Finance.

“Our firm has over 60 active projects between our machine shop, engineering department, heritage work, and diesel locomotive repair efforts,” explained Davidson Ward, President of FMW Solutions. “Katie and Roy will bring valuable organizational support to not only our 30-plus employees around the country but our diverse group of clients as well. We’re humbled to have these accomplished rail industry professionals aboard.”

An award-winning Norfolk Southern employee, Katie Slider’s 24-year career saw her administer equipment planning, operating best practices, end-of-train devices, and car maintenance with senior leadership, mechanical departments, business analysts, and fleet managers. Katie also helped lead Norfolk Southern’s 21st Century Steam Program between 2011 and 2015. Her role at FMW will oversee client onboarding, project management, internal procedures, and the firm’s expanding machine shop in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.

With over 40 years in accounting and finance, including 20 years in rail operations, passenger car management, and historic preservation, Roy has held various senior management positions at several international companies including Intel, KPMG, and Price Waterhouse. Roy’s service in rail preservation includes leadership and advisory positions with Canadian Pacific, Railroad Passenger Car Alliance, Tom E. Dailey Foundation, Nashville Steam Preservation Society, and service with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Department.

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ABOUT FMW SOLUTIONS

FMW Solutions and its subsidiary National Rail Consulting Group offer a suite of professional services for the railroad industry, including mechanical and engineering design, diesel locomotive servicing and repair, rail operations, strategic planning support, marketing, public relations, safety compliance administration, training, and alternative fuel technology research and development. FMW is also an accomplished rail preservation resource, with expertise in the restoration and operation of historic equipment. For more on FMW Solutions, to request a quote, or proposal, or to explore opportunities for your railroad operation, email us, or call (423) 425-9753.

A blend of historic railroad attractions helps recreate a 1970s commuter train for A Man Called Otto, the latest feature film starring Tom Hanks.

Emboldened by new state tax credits and a strong filmmaking community, Pennsylvania has seen a steady increase in film and television productions – and with them have come a special set of creative challenges. In late 2021, producers for A Man Called Otto knew they needed to solve one problem very early on: they needed trains. 

While trains had played a different role in the original Swedish book and subsequent film Man Called Ove (2015), the new American adaptation featured only vestiges of the railroad element, but in a more romantic backdrop.

“The train work in this picture helps form the narrative heart of the movie, but we knew it would be very challenging to serve our specific creative ambitions while remaining both on budget and on schedule,” explains John Adkins, locations manager for the movie. “We told our local contacts in Pittsburgh that we needed a ‘train guru’ and they knew just the right person to make it work.”

Linked by the technical expertise of railroad consulting firm FMW Solutions and its movie train coordinator Kelly Lynch, the equipment and locations of the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railway, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and Washington DC Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society were sourced to appear in two flashback sequences.

With his lifelong connection to the railroad world, Lynch’s film pursuits began at NBC/Universal in 2005 and have since led to a number of awards for his screenwriting, creative, and commercial work. After bringing his expertise to FMW Solutions in 2021, Lynch’s help on an Amazon television series in Pittsburgh led to the recommendation for Otto.

“Sourcing equipment that would fit the look and feel for Otto was the easiest part, but threading the needle of getting the locomotive and passenger cars where they needed to be is why we were hired,” explained Lynch. “While the original desire was to film platform exteriors at Pittsburgh Union Station and moving train work on a nearby regional railroad, the short lead time, proximity to a busy freight and passenger mainline, and other logistical limitations meant we had to explore a number of alternatives.”

Loosely inspired by the Mon Valley Commuter Rail system that served the Pittsburgh region in the 1970s, an FP-9A locomotive from Potomac Eagle and former MARC and Pennsylvania Railroad commuter cars fit the bill.

After leading a series of technical and director scouts, filming took place over three days, at three different locations. The first was a day of exterior aerial work in Romney, West Virginia featuring the Potomac Eagle’s characteristic diesel locomotive and stainless steel passenger cars, which looked visually similar to the MARC cars. A few weeks later, filming resumed in May for interior scenes aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s passenger train set in the Cuyahoga National Park.

“During the busy tourist season, hosting a film production can be a big task, but we’re grateful to the National Park Service for helping us welcome the production to the Valley,” said Joe Mazur, President of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. “Our crews really enjoyed it and it created a lot of buzz for us in the community.”

For the moving train work, the production modified a former Budd Rail Diesel Car, chosen for its spartan interior to reflect the state of passenger rail in the 1970s, and operated between Jaite and Rockside, Ohio.  

“Every movie train is special, though generally, productions want either steam locomotives or modern freight or passenger trains,” added Lynch. “This is an era of passenger rail rarely seen on film. In some cases, car interiors were rejected because they were restored and looked too nice.”

In the interim, the Potomac Eagle locomotive ventured to Toledo where it would meet two former MARC commuter cars shipped in from the Cuyahoga Valley where they’d been leased for seasonal events. Lynch escorted both shipments as they moved en route over CSX, and the equipment arrived a week before production began.

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“For the Potomac Eagle, shipping one their primary locomotives out ahead of their regular season was not an easy decision, but we were fortunate to have CSX railroad crews in Cumberland, Maryland, Walbridge, Ohio, and at CSX Community Affairs to make sure this equipment would make it to and from its engagement in Toledo without issue,” detailed Lynch.

Amid pre-production, Toledo’s art-deco Central Union Terminal had been an early favorite of director Marc Forster and production designer Barbara Ling.

“The station and period trains were a perfect match,” said Louise Rosner, executive producer.

“Once we confirmed the Toledo Port Authority owned the platforms and actual trackage, we knew we had three tracks and 4,000 feet of the railroad to operate on without encumbering the nearby mainline or disrupting Amtrak’s passenger operations,” Lynch stated.

“The local Norfolk Southern crews were critical to ensuring the production could select Toledo as a location, as they worked with us to ship, switch, and position the equipment so that our teams could take over,” said Lynch. “Their level of responsive customer service was not only impressive but a great relief.”

In coordination with the Port Authority, Norfolk Southern, and Amtrak, Lynch isolated the platforms, imported station props from a nearby railroad museum, and conducted safety briefings with a cast of over 160 performers. The third day of railroad work on the production would also be the final day of principal photography.

“Even in a tightly controlled operating environment, this many people on a platform with a moving train represents safety concerns. During our production briefing, we taught everyone the signal to ‘stop,’ for instance if they saw someone trip, fall, or otherwise saw something that was unsafe. Everyone knew what our whistle signals meant in terms of train movement and direction and we had flagmen to protect performers,” explained Lynch.

Overall, the production brought a six-figure boost to the local economies in Brecksville and Toledo as a cast and crew of 300 descended on Ohio, and equipment returned without issue.

“The train work went off perfectly,” added Rosner. 

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Ultimately, the movie train work makes up approximately five minutes of total screen time, but the additional layer of authenticity and practical sets are a departure from a trend towards artificial sets or digital imagery. Of course, it also means the railroad entities involved were compensated too. 

“Tourist railroads and museums are great assets that can usually be very accommodating within reason,” Lynch furthered. “We filmed a drone scout for the aerial film crew on a Friday so the director could pick out locations, and less than a day later we were on board the passenger train to travel to the spots that had been selected, and then filmed until we ran out of daylight. Even for cost-conscious shows, there’s still a lot that’s very achievable and can be accomplished safely, quickly, and creatively.”

“With trains, you have all the complications of props, locations, safety, stunts, vintage vehicles, and more rolled up into one. FMW not only helped all of us wrap our heads around what was achievable, but they went out and made it possible,” explained Adkins.

FMW Solutions was also assisted by Mid America Railcar, Carload Express, Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum, Horizon Rail, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, McRail Insurance, Brian Smith, and Chris Homco.

“It really means a lot to marry two remarkably complex industries,” said Lynch. “But it’s also immensely satisfying to call up our network of partners and connect the dots together for a project like this. Railroad magic and movie magic really aren’t that much different from one another.”

A Man Called Otto is now available on streaming. 

ST. LOUIS, MO (July 14th) - A historic Wabash Railroad turntable has been rescued from obscurity and will be preserved as part of a planned steam-driven tourist railroad in South Central Florida.

MetroLink, a light rail system serving the greater St. Louis region, had sought a new home for the historic structure for over 25 years. As MetroLink cleared the area for redevelopment, the turntable’s fate was uncertain. Earlier this year, representatives from FMW Solutions LLC, an industry contractor with expertise in rail preservation and logistics, approached MetroLink with several options to save the structure.

Since February, FMW has worked with MetroLink to clear the site and turntable, removing and salvaging structural components and wood, and even managed to save two newborn kittens that were living in the turntable pit. Nicknamed “Link” and “Wabash,” the kittens were turned over for adoption at the local humane society.

The 90-foot long, 62-ton turntable will make a thousand-mile journey from St. Louis to Clewiston, Florida, where plans call for it to ultimately be restored and used as part of the Sugar Express, a regional tourist train operation in the Lake Okeechobee region.

“The installation of this turntable will be an important step toward our future goal of offering public excursions on the Sugar Express, where passengers will be able to see South Florida farming operations firsthand aboard an historic steam locomotive-driven railroad,” said Scott Ogle, General Manager of the Sugar Express. “We appreciate the staff at FMW Solutions for helping to relocate the turntable as we make plans for its installation near Clewiston.”

Built in 1917 by the American Bridge Company, the turntable was used to orient locomotives at the railroad’s facility at Vanteveter Avenue roundhouse and almost exclusively served the line’s storied steam and diesel passenger locomotives throughout its history. In the ensuing years, the roundhouse was demolished and the property was absorbed by Norfolk & Western, and later owned by Norfolk Southern until 1989 when the adjoining railroad line was deemed secondary and later sold to Bi-State Development as it began construction of MetroLink. 

For more information on Sugar Express, visit sugarexpress.com. For more information on the Metropolitan Saint Louis Transit Agency, metrostlouis.org.

FMW Solutions and its subsidiary National Rail Consulting Group offer a suite of professional services for the railroad industry, including mechanical and engineering design, diesel locomotive servicing and repair, rail operations, strategic planning support, marketing, public relations, safety compliance administration, training, and alternative fuel technology research and development. FMW is also an accomplished rail preservation resource, with expertise in the restoration and operation of historic equipment.

Kelly Lynch, Director of Special Projects

Kevin Sweat, Director of Safety and Compliance

Railroad contracting, consulting, and engineering firm FMW Solutions LLC (“FMW”) has hired Kelly Lynch as its Director of Special Projects and Kevin Sweat as its Director of Safety and Compliance.

"We have enlisted the diverse skills of these two industry professionals to better serve our customers. With their talents, FMW will be better positioned to aid the rail industry as it continues to meet the needs of the 21st century," stated Davidson Ward, President of FMW. 

FMW has experienced significant growth since its founding in 2016, and the company now serves clients in the Class 1, regional, tourist, and industrial trades, and features deep expertise in both modern and vintage rail equipment.

"Our growth is thanks to the trust our clients have placed in us, and our dedication to being innovative and transparent partners. Kelly and Kevin are two veteran experts in their respective fields and will be assets for our clients and projects moving forward," said Ward.

Together with its affiliate, the National Rail Consulting Group, FMW offers a suite of professional services, including rail mechanical and engineering design, diesel locomotive servicing and repair, rail operations, strategic planning support, marketing and consultation services, safety compliance administration and training, as well as alternative fuel technology and research. FMW is also an accomplished rail preservation resource, with expertise in the restoration and operation of historic equipment and steam locomotives.

To learn more about FMW Solutions or National Rail Consulting Group, visit fmwsolutions.com or www.nationalrailconsulting.com. Our team can also call be reached at 423-425-9753 and by email. FMW is also hiring for additional positions. To inquire, please click here.

ABOUT OUR NEW HIRES

KELLY LYNCH | Email

As Director of Special Projects, Kelly Lynch will lead marketing, consulting, strategic planning, and media production, as well as provide operations planning and logistical support for FMW, the National Rail Consulting Group, and its clients. 

Mr. Lynch is an Indiana native with over 17 years of experience in railroading, film and video production, digital marketing, advertising, and historic rail preservation. He has worked for a variety of short line and tourist railroad operations in various roles, including as a trainmaster, conductor, laborer, and locomotive fireman. In addition, Mr. Lynch has administered railroad operations, events, and logistics planning, handled customer service and customer experience, digital marketing, grant-writing, placemaking, and community outreach for dozens of operations and institutions. Mr. Lynch previously worked for Apple, NBC/Universal, and CBS/Paramount in his career as an award-winning freelance filmmaker and also serves as a railroad transportation coordinator for motion pictures.

Mr. Lynch has been a board member and Vice President of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc. since 2005 and, in 2017, was named Executive Director of Headwaters Junction, a proposed regional railroad attraction that he has designed and developed. Lynch was previously the Video Creative Director for Sweetwater Sound, the world's leading music instrument and pro audio gear retailer.

KEVIN SWEAT | Email

As Director of Safety and Compliance, Kevin Sweat will offer clients rail safety reviews, regulatory compliance audits, as well as provide operations training and he will be a key member of the FMW rail operations team. He maintains a deep knowledge of rail operations, regulatory compliance, and safety. 

Mr. Sweat is a Florida native with over 15 years in the railroad industry, with experience on numerous railroads throughout the country, ranging from tourist railroads, short lines, Class Is, and commuter railroads and he has provided regulatory and operational oversight for intercity passenger rail and short lines.

Mr. Sweat has over a decade of experience as a locomotive engineer and conductor on freight and passenger railroads, and he holds certifications from the FRA in Accident Investigation and Positive Train Control. He most recently served for six years as an FRA Operating Practices Inspector for the Florida Department of Transportation.  

CLEWISTON, FL - Members of the Glades communities, local elected officials, pastors and the people of U.S. Sugar celebrated today the beginning of the company’s 90th harvest season at a dedication event for its historic steam locomotive Engine No. 148, which hauled the season’s first sugarcane train from field to mill. FMW was retained in early 2019 to complete the restoration of this historic locomotive, and we are honored to have played a role in this historic dedication.

“Our company has great respect for the hard, admirable work that brought this piece of history back to life,” said U.S. Sugar President and CEO Robert Buker. “We are proud to finally be able to show everyone this amazing artifact of American ingenuity, innovation and industrial know-how.”

The steam engine was christened with a champagne bottle of sugar, broken by Barbara Buker, wife of U.S. Sugar president and CEO Robert Buker.

Everyone safely gathered around the century old locomotive as it came to halt on the tracks before them and Mr. and Mrs. Buker smashed a champagne bottle of pure cane sugar over its coupler to christen the “Sugar Express” before sending the train on toward the mill. The Clewiston Tigers High School Marching Band was also on hand to play “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” as the steam locomotive was dedicated.

“On behalf of my colleagues, I must thanks U.S. Sugar, and Mr. Buker, for the trust that placed in our firm to complete the restoration of No. 148,” said FMW President Davidson Ward. “About a dozen FMW team members worked alongside U.S. Sugar to see No. 148 returned to operation. It is thanks to everyone’s hard work that we are able to see her in service today.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was not open to the public; however, the City of Clewiston invited local residents and rail fans to view the train from a secure, pre-determined location as it chugged through town.  The newly restored steam engine was also displayed for several hours at the U.S. Sugar Locomotive North Shop for individuals to take photographs and videos.

“Ninety years ago, our founder, Charles Stewart Mott first laid out his vision for U.S. Sugar to become a leader in innovation,” said Ken McDuffie, Senior VP of Sugarcane Operations at U.S. Sugar. “Part of that innovation was developing the only large-scale rail network for trains to haul harvested cane to a sugar mill.”

“While most steam locomotives originally ran on coal, U.S. Sugar’s fleet used cleaner burning fuel oil.  And because we’re always looking for innovation and sustainability, this steam engine has been designed to run on recycled vegetable oil,” said Buker.

U.S. Sugar plans to add passenger cars to Engine No. 148 in the future so visitors can see their farms and learn more about the company’s rich history and food production from a very unique perspective.  The Sugar Express also is expected to help draw more visitors to America’s Sweetest Town as they come to experience a ride on a genuine steam locomotive.

Since 2016, the United States Sugar Corporation (U.S. Sugar) has worked diligently to complete the restoration to operation of historic steam locomotive No. 148, a 1920s-era steam locomotive the company employed decades ago to haul sugarcane from the fields to its mill. In Spring 2019, U.S. Sugar retained FMW Solutions LLC (FMW) to complete the restoration to operation of the historic locomotive, and the locomotive passed a substantial milestone this week: successful completion of its official hydrostatic test of the boiler and witnessed and inspected by Federal Railroad Administration officials.

“This steam locomotive is part of our history, and we wanted to bring it home,’’ said Judy Sanchez, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs for U.S. Sugar, during a welcoming home celebration in Clewiston. “Engine No. 148’s restoration is making great progress, and it is only a matter of time before it is restored to its former glory.”

Locomotive No. 148 was built in 1920 by the American Locomotive Company for use on the Florida East Coast Railway. In 1952, the locomotive was sold to U.S. Sugar for use in hauling sugar cane trains from field-to-plant for processing into refined sugar. After being sold by U.S. Sugar into private ownership in the 1960s, it spent a few years operating, then was moved across the country, finally landing in Monte Vista, Colorado. Thanks to the vision of U.S. Sugar CEO Robert Buker, the locomotive was re-purchased in 2016, kick starting this most recent restoration.

FMW VP-Mechanical Shane Meador inspects the front tube sheet of No. 148 earlier in 2019.

 “The amount of pride U.S. Sugar has in its heritage, and this artifact in particular, is something truly exceptional in this day-and-age,” said Shane Meador, FMW VP-Mechanical. “We are honored that U.S. Sugar approached our firm to complete the restoration to operation of No. 148, and we are pleased with the amount of progress our team has made to-date in finalizing key portions of the project.”

Since assuming its role in managing the project, FMW has overseen substantial boiler, mechanical, and engineering work, including removing the boiler from the frame of the locomotive, driving new rivets into the boiler, reuniting the boiler with the frame, rolling boiler tubes and flues, and additional mechanical and engineering work.

“The Code of Federal Regulations dictates that the boiler be tested hydrostatically, with water of a prescribed temperature range, to 25% above maximum allowable working pressure, or ‘MAWP,’” explained FMW VP-Engineering Wolf Fengler, MSME. “For this test, we pressurized the boiler of No. 148 to 225 PSI in the presence of an FRA Regional Motive Power & Equipment inspector, demonstrating that repairs made to the pressure vessel were completed appropriately.”

Today, U.S. Sugar is the only sugarcane farming company in the continental United States that transports all its cane to a sugar factory by railroad, which saves on fuel and reduces truck traffic and fossil fuel emissions.  Its dozen modern locomotives and 850 specially modified railcars serve more than 300 miles of track, including the South Central Florida Express, which transports sugar, citrus products, fertilizer, farm equipment and other agricultural freight year-round, and the Sugarcane Train, which hauls sugarcane from the fields to the mills during the October-May harvest season.

 With the “hydro” test of No. 148 successfully completed, work will focus on the hundreds of detailed mechanical tasks required to finalize the restoration. With the help of dozens of expert mechanics (including many U.S. Sugar employees), U.S. Sugar is nearing the return the 99-year-old steam engine back to fully operational condition. A date for completion of the project has not yet been set, but as additional milestones are met, updates will be made available. Keep track of the project online via the U.S. SUGAR 148 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SugarExpressFL/

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Door Ring

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Removing Boiler from Frame

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Boiler on Shop Trucks

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Engineering On Site

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Drilling Staybolts

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Custom-Fit Flange

FMW Solutions LLC was retained by an industrial railroad client to overhaul and convert the air brake system on a General Electric 110 ton center cab switching locomotive. The locomotive, which was previously rebuilt by a third party re-manufacturer, had been outfitted with a one-off electrically-controlled air brake system that was not performing as required. As such, FMW was engeaged to convert the locomotive to a standard 26L air brake system with the goal of returning it to safe, reliable operation.

The FMW mechanical team began work by evaluating the locomotive air brake system. This revealed that the locomotive lacked a main reservoir pop valve, no separation between engine (independent) brake controls and train (automatic) brake controls with no provision for conducting a proper brake test, and due to the configuration of the electronic brake system that blended the independent and automatic brake functions, there was no practical way to hold the train with the engine (independent) brake while also charging the train brake system.

After assembling the air brake components and fabricating a brake stand, FMW made a subsequent visit to convert the brake system. FMW traced all of the electronic control system components, removed the majority of the piping associated with the original system, and set about converting the locomotive to a 26L air brake system. All of the air brake plumbing was recreated of copper and/or steel pipe fittings, and a custom-fabricated air brake stand was installed in the cab.

After a two weeks of work on site, the air brake system was completed, tested, and the locomotive was returned to service.

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Brake Locker - Before

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For the first time in more than 50 years, a steam locomotive hauled a train of harvested sugarcane from the field to U.S. Sugar’s mill. To mark the end of U.S. Sugar’s annual harvest and the completion of a multi-year restoration of its 100-year-old steam locomotive known as Engine No. 148, the company called upon the vintage locomotive to haul cane on the last day of the season. The 2019-20 harvest lasted 239 days, and despite drier than normal spring conditions and the global COVID-19 pandemic, was completed safely as scheduled.

 “Seeing No. 148 under steam and back on her home track is a heartwarming sight to see,’’ said Judy Sanchez, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs for U.S. Sugar.

Locomotive No. 148 was built in 1920 by the American Locomotive Company for use on the Florida East Coast Railway. In 1952, the locomotive was sold to U.S. Sugar to haul sugarcane trains from field-to-mill for processing raw sugar. As diesel locomotives became popular, Engine No. 148 was sold by U.S. Sugar into private ownership in the 1960s. The steam engine spent a few years hauling passenger excursions, then it was moved across the country, finally landing in Monte Vista, Colorado. Thanks to the vision of U.S. Sugar CEO Robert H. Buker, Jr., the locomotive was re-purchased by U.S. Sugar in 2016, kick starting this restoration. Railroad mechanical contractor FMW Solutions LLC, working alongside more than two dozen U.S. Sugar employees, completed the restoration of No. 148 in late April.

 “U.S. Sugar’s restoration of Engine No. 148 has been a tremendous source of pride for our employees, who have worked tirelessly over the past 4 years to bring this steam engine back to life,” said Bob Lawson, general manager for U.S. Sugar Railroad Operations. “We look forward to the day when we can host members of the public on excursions to share our rich history with railroad enthusiasts, Florida residents and children alike.”

 “The pride that U.S. Sugar has in its heritage, and this historic symbol in particular, is something truly exceptional in this day-and-age,” said Shane Meador, FMW Solutions Vice President. “We are honored to have worked with U.S. Sugar to complete the restoration of No. 148 and have been pleased with its performance during recent test runs and yesterday’s historic run.”

To coincide with this momentous occasion, and in support of the expanded mission of operating No. 148, U.S. Sugar is also pleased to announce that it will be operating the steam locomotive under the brand it has dubbed the “Sugar Express.” This new name is in reference both to the locomotive’s heritage at U.S. Sugar and its future role hauling “Express” trains across some of the hundreds of miles of mainline railroad maintained and operated by U.S. Sugar. 

 To learn more about the steam engine, and to stay up to date, visit SugarExpress.com and follow U.S. Sugar No. 148 on its updated Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SugarExpressFL

FMW Solutions LLC (FMW) was retained in April 2019 by the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway (MPPR) to perform a mechanical inspection of its historic, 1897-built steam locomotive No. 4 and coach 104. These inspections were performed to determine what it would take to return the locomotive to reliable, operational condition on the soon-to-be rebuilt railroad.  MPPR is currently undertaking a $100 million project to rebuild its 8.9 mile long rack (cog) railway, which travels between Manitou Springs (Ele. 6,412 ft) and the summit of Pikes Peak (Ele. 14,115 ft). Just this week, MPPR began laying its first stretch of new rails.

"The rebuilding of our railroad is the most extensive undertaking since the original construction of our line in 1891, and as part of those plans, we wanted to investigate the viability of returning No. 4 to service when the railroad reopens in 2021," explained Ted Johnston, MPPR’s Assistant General Manager. "Given the fact the locomotive needs to be converted to a new rack system, this presented an opportunity to bring in a team of experts to inspect the steam locomotive and accompanying coach."

As part of this overhaul of the railway, MPPR is converting from an Abt rack system to a Strub rack system. This means the remaining Swiss Locomotive Works Bhm 4/8 units and steam locomotive No. 4 and Coach 104 must be converted to the new system.

FMW performed an on-site inspection of No. 4 and Coach 104. With respect to No. 4, FMW inspected its machinery and performed a cursory review of its pressure vessel. While inspecting coach 104, FMW focused on the trucks and what will be required to convert it to the Strub rack system. Following this inspection, FMW assembled a written report outlining the mechanical repairs necessary to return the equipment to a state of good repair, as well as the necessary requirements to convert the steam locomotive and coach to the new cog system. 

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A detailed photo showing the integrated cog, driving axle, and steam-actuated drum brakes. MPPR No. 4 is unlike any steam locomotive in operation in the U.S.

"This is a truly unique locomotive, not just because it is designed to operate on a cog railway, but because of its very rare Vauclain Compound arrangement," explained FMW VP - Engineering Wolf Fengler, MSME. "Our team looked carefully at the mechanical systems, as well as the boiler, to develop an estimate to convert it to the new cog system and return it to reliable, operational condition."

As part of this study, FMW also performed an operational feasibility study of rebuilding the watering infrastructure required to operate the locomotive and passenger car all the way to the summit. The results of both studies were compiled into a comprehensive, inspection report and provided to the railway in Q2 2019.

"We appreciate the detailed work completed by FMW in analyzing No. 4 and its proposed operation." explained Johnston. "Given the amount of effort required to rebuild the line, we opted to hold off on any mechanical work with No. 4 and Coach 104 for the meantime. It is now safely on display at our sister railroad, the Grand Canyon Railway, where it will be stored until our reopening next year."

This view from above the tree line is not feasible today, as the line is currently undergoing a complete overhaul. Visitors will be able to ride the (rebuilt) railroad again starting in 2021!

FMW was retained to manage the relocation of Louisville & Nashville Railroad caboose No. 136, the namesake railcar of Bellevue’s “Red Caboose Park.” As part of an ongoing, master plan revision, Metropolitan Nashville Parks sought to relocate the caboose onto a new, concrete pad.

FMW’s work began with supplying sufficient lengths of rail to form the support structure for the caboose at its new location. Once delivered and installed by FMW, final attention was paid to finalizing the move planning.

On the morning of March 12, FMW worked with two local heavy rigging and transport companies to lift the caboose onto a heavy duty trailer. The caboose was then posed for a brief news conference, before being transported across the park and placed onto its final resting place in the new pavilion.

FMW was honored to oversee such an intricate portion of this project, and it was our pleasure to see that this work was completed on-time and under budget.